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Address Book
Pavillons de Bercy
Discover a decorative and diverse wonderland
replete with a Theatre of Marvels, a fantastic
garden and a museum devoted to rides and
attractions found in amusement fairs from
1850 to 1950. 53 ave des Terroirs de France (12th),
01.43.40.16.15. M° Cour Saint-Emillion
boAt cruises
Bateaux Parisiens
Giant glass-roofed tour boats departing every hour
on the hour, 10am-10pm (except 1pm & 7:30pm).
Lunch and dinner cruises also available. Port de la
Bourdonnais (7th), 08.25.01.01.01. M° Trocadéro
Bateaux-Mouches
The legendary company has been offering
cruises on the Seine river for decades. Double-
deck boats provide an unusual approach to Paris
monuments. Departures every 45 min, 11am-9pm.
For dinner cruises please see the Dining section.
Pont de l’Alma (8th), 01.42.25.96.10. M° Alma-Marceau
Batobus
A sleek “shuttle boat” making 8 stops including the
Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Jardin des Plantes and
the Town Hall. 10:30am-7pm. 01.76.64.79.12
Vedettes du Pont Neuf
These hour cruises on the Seine offer a discovery
of the city’s leading monuments.10:30am-noon
& 1:30pm-10:30pm, boats 30 min apart. Square du
Vert Galant (1st), 01.46.33.98.38. M° Pont Neuf
River Limousine
Take in a private cruise on the Seine on board
a custom-built luxurious boat replete with a
salon and a bottle of champagne. Reservations
required. 06.86.07.87.37
Vedettes de Paris
Offering one-hour cruises departing from the
Eiffel Tower. 10:30am-10pm, boats 30 min apart.
Special theme cruises also available including
a champagne tasting cruise. Port de Suffren (7th),
01.44.18.19.50. M° Bir Hakeim/RER C Champs de Mars
dAy trips
Auvers sur Oise
The French countryside and the village where
Van Gogh spent the last months of his life are
just 27 km from Paris. In town you can visit a
17 th century chateau and the Maison Van Gogh
(open Mar through Oct). SNCF from Gare du Nord
to Valmondois, then change for Auvers-sur-Oise
(about 1 hr 15 min)Chartres
The town of Chartres is known for its splendid
cathedral with magnificent stained glass
windows. You can also visit the Centre
International du Vitrail, a workshop and museum
devoted to stained glass which is unique in
Europe. SNCF from Gare Montparnasse (about 1 hr);
last return train to Paris about 9pm.
Château de Fontainebleau
A residence of the French kings from the 12th to
the 19th century, this royal château is famous for its
superb Renaissance decor by Italian artists. Wed-
Mon 9:30am-5pm. 01.60.71.50.70. SNCF Grandes
Lignes from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon (40
min), then a short bus or shuttle ride from the station.Château de Versailles
Louis XIV’s magnificent palace, with the Hall of
Mirrors, Grands Appartements and Le Nôtre’s
superb gardens. The Chateau is open Tue-Sun
9am-6:00pm. Gardens open daily 8 am to sunset;
free. Avenue Rockefeller. 01.30.83.78.00. RER C to
Versailles Chateau Rive GaucheChâteau et Domaine de Chantilly
North of Paris, a 16th century royal château with
a beautiful park and a fabulous art collection.
Mon-Sun 10:30am-5pm. 03.44.57.40.40. SNCF at
the Gare du Nord (25 min) or RER D to Chantilly–
Gouvieux (45 min) then take the free bus no. 15
marked “Senlis” to the château.Château de Vaux le Vicomte
This unique estate with its 17th century castle
and formal French gardens is one of the most
beautiful in France. The castle’s vast French
gardens, punctuated by fountains and water
basins, are regarded as royal gardener Andre
Le Nôtre’s masterwork. By car 55 km from Paris.
Maincy 77950, 01.64.14.41.90Giverny
Enter into the world of the Impressionists in this
dreamy village west of Paris where Claude Monet
arrived in 1883. Monet’s home, gardens and the
immortalized water lily ponds remain, all opened
to the public at the Fondation Claude Monet.
84 rue Claude Monet, SNCF from the Gare St. Lazare
to Gare de Vernon, 45 minutes, then the No. 240 bus
to Giverny. 02.32.51.28.21Musée National du Château de Malmaison
This delightful 17th century castle on the outskirts
of Paris was the rural home of Josephine and
Napoleon Bonaparte. 10am-12:30pm/13:30pm-
5:45pm/Until 6:15pm Sat & Sun. Closed Tues. Ave
du château de Malmaison, 01.41.29.05.55. Metro
or RER to la Défense then bus 258 to the stop ChâteaugArdens
Jardin des Tuileries
This vast park filled with peaceful wide alleyways
for strolling and an octagonal water basin offers a
place for a promenade between the Pyramide du
Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. Sculptures
by Maillol, Rodin, Dubuffet and Louise Bourgeois
are among the jewels set in these refreshing
gardens. Jardin des Tuileries (1st), M° Concorde
Jardin du Luxembourg
These lovely gardens were built upon the initiative
of Queen Marie de Medici in 1612. They are
composed of both English and French gardens, a
large pond an orchard of old vintage fruit trees and
an apiary. Activities for adults include chess, tennis
and remote control boats while children can a
puppet theatre, rides and slides. Rue de Médicis - Rue
de Vaugirard (6th), M° Odéon
guided toursL’Open Tour Paris
Open-topped buses and over 50 stops. Buy tickets
on board, at hotels, or at their boutique office.
13 rue Auber (9th), 01.42.66.56.56. M° OpéraParis Authentic
This is a unique Parisian concept for personal
sightseeing tours and excursions in traditional
French 2cv cars. Be picked up anywhere in Paris
and the Parisian drivers of Paris Authentic take you
for an unusual discovery of their city. Enjoy Paris by
day or night, champagne in Montmartre, historic
landmarks, luxurious places, secret neighbourhoods,
tailor-made tours. 06.64.50.44.19
Paris City Vision
City tours, day and evening excursions, trips to
the Loire and other regions. 214 rue de Rivoli (1st),
01.44.55.60.00. M° Tuileries
Retro Tour
Discover Paris on board a genuine sidecar and
motorcycle with a private guided tour from Retro
Tour, accompanied by your Gentleman Sider guide
and driver dressed in Chevignon classic clothing.Bateaux-Mouches | Boat Cruises l’oPen tour Paris | Guided Tours